Congressman Moulton to headline discussion on New England's response to refugees

BOSTON – As the United States and many countries around the world are faced with the question of whether or not they will offer shelter to the hundreds of thousands of refugees fleeing war-torn nations, the Institute is hosting a panel discussion on New England’s response to refugees. The discussion, moderated by the Boston Globe’s Maria Sacchetti, will discuss how New England is responding to and resettling refugees. The discussion will feature remarks by Congressman Seth Moulton from Massachusetts 6th Congressional District. Panelists include Phil Nadeau, Deputy City Administrator from Lewiston, Maine; Eva Millona, Executive Director of the MIRA Coalition; and Jessica M. Vaughan, Director of Policy Studies at the Center for Immigration Studies.

Additionally, the event will highlight January’s Issue of the Day at the Institute. Each month the Institute’s exhibits change to reflect different civic issues that visitors will learn about during their visit. In January the Today’s Vote program will provide visitors details and arguments in favor and against Bill S. 2302, the Terrorist Refugee Infiltration Prevention Act of 2015 that has recently been under consideration by the Senate. Visitors then have the opportunity to voice their opinion and vote on a bill inspired by the real legislation in the Institute’s full-scale replica U.S. Senate Chamber.

WHO: Opening remarks by Congressman Seth Moulton, Representative of Massachusetts 6th Congressional District Moderated by the Boston Globe’s Maria Sacchetti Phil Nadeau, Deputy City Administrator from Lewiston, Maine Eva Millona, Executive Director of the MIRA Coalition Jessica M. Vaughan, Director of Policy Studies at the Center for Immigration Studies

WHAT: A Getting to the Point discussion on how New England is responding to and resettling refugees.

WHEN: Thursday January 28th, 2016 from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. - Today’s Vote

WHERE: Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate – Columbia Point – Boston, MA 02125

The event is OPEN PRESS RSVP to press@emkinstitute.org

About the Panelists

MIRA Coalition – Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition, the largest organization in New England promoting the rights and integration of immigrants and refugees, serves the Commonwealth’s one million foreign-born residents with policy analysis and advocacy.

Center for Immigration Studies – An independent, non-partisan, nonprofit research organization providing immigration policymakers, the academic community, news media and concerned citizens with reliable information about the social, economic, environmental, security and fiscal consequences of legal and illegal immigration into the United States.

City of Lewiston, Maine – Lewiston, Maine has seen an influx of more than 5,000 refugees and immigrants from Somalia and other countries around the world in the past fifteen years. In response to the relocations, Phil Nadeau in his role as Deputy City Administrator for the City of Lewiston has worked with many local, state and federal agencies and non-profits to assist in the transition of the Lewiston community.

About the Edward M. Kennedy Institute

Since opening in March of 2015 the Institute has hosted nearly 10,000 students from across the Commonwealth, and has hosted public programming events in both Boston and Washington, DC that have included speakers from Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, to Congressman John Lewis, to Red Sox Hall of Fame pitcher Pedro Martinez.

The Institute is dedicated to educating the public about the important role of the Senate in our government, encouraging participatory democracy, invigorating civil discourse, and inspiring the next generation of citizens and leaders to engage in the civic life of their communities. It is a dynamic center of learning and engagement that uses innovative technology to provide each visitor with an information-rich, personalized experience that brings important historical and current debates to life. To learn more about the EMK Institute, please visit EMKInstitute.org.

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